The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-05
4 Touching Incident.

At the bar banquet given Saturday
night in honor of Judges Key and Ire
whit, Col. Lewis Shepherd made a re-
quest seconded by all Of the gentlemen
present, that Mr.. Templeton, of the
Knoxville bar, who was present, relate
an incident which occurred during the
| war at a revival service held by his
father in North Georgia. Mr.. Temple
ton kindly consented, aud related the
following in most effective and touch
ing manner, eliciung the most generous
applause at his conclusion:
MY father" said Mr.. Templeton,
"resides in Chattanooga, but about the
time that Sherman made his way into
the South, he refugeed in Georgia and
stopped in Gordon. He was a preacher,
and whenever he went he always
preached wherever an opportunity af-
forded. About the time that Sherman
was driving johnson toward Atlanta,
some time in the early part of August,
1864, my father was conducting a re-
vival at little house called PIne Log
Creek Church, about ten miles from
Calhoun. The times were most terrible
about them: murder, rob berry and ra-
pine were of daily occurrence and the
whole country was subject to visitations
by marauding parties from both armies.
One day the old gentleman was preach
ing sermon of unusual power, and be-
fore he had gotten well underway a gang
of Confederate soldiers rose up and dis
mounting out back of the church asked
if they might be admitted to the church.
OF course they were cordially invited in
and took prominent seats in the church.
Not long afterward a cloud of dust was
seen in the road from the opposite direc-
tioR to what the rebels had come and
pretty soon the tramp of horses hoofs
was heard and it was soon discovered
that it was squad of Federal troops.
and before the Confederates in the
church could be apprised of the ap-
proach, they had ridden up to the door.
Perceiving that religious services were
being held, they alighsed and asked to |
be admitted. They were then told that
there were Confederate soldiers in the |
church, but insisted on going in, and |
they were admitted likewise. Naturally |
the strange spectacle created some con
sternation in the congregation, and for |
a time it seemed as if the confusion |
would break up the meeting. But nv
father raised MS voice and began most |
feryently to plead better life, beseech- |
ing his soldier hearers to become relig- |
ious and abandon their sins. He |
preached with unusual force and power,
the strange scene lending him inspira.
ton. Strong men were stirred to the
depths, and wept like children, and the
scene of confusion was soon changed to
one of strong religious awakening.
When he had concluded his sermon, as |
was the custom in those days, he invited |
those who were converted to come for
ward to the Inourner's bench and pray
and talk with him on the all-important
subject. Then it was that one of the
gIandest sights ever witnessed occurred.
These soldiers, enemies to each other, /,
engaged IN bloody war, arose as one
man, friend and foe together, and
marched to the front Of the church and
kneeled together, Confederate by Fed
eral, their muskets joining and crossing
each other; their revoiyers touching
each other as they kneeled; their heads
bowed on the same altar aud their tears
almost in their deep contritIon
and profound feeling. All animoslties
were forgotten, all strife forgotten
they were together as brothers around
a common altar. "-Chattanooga Times.